Rotator cuff tears are one of the most common shoulder injuries, especially in active adults and athletes. Some tears happen suddenly after an injury, while others develop slowly over time due to wear-and-tear.
Not all rotator cuff tears cause severe pain right away. You may be tempted to push through mild discomfort, adjust your activity, and delay treatment. But untreated tears often worsen.
At his Santa Barbara, California, practice, orthopedic shoulder and sports medicine surgeon Matthew Pifer, MD, works with patients to repair rotator cuff damage before complications happen.
In some cases, delaying repair can increase the risk of developing shoulder arthritis, making treatment more complex and outcomes less predictable.
May is National Arthritis Awareness Month, an opportunity to inform people that untreated orthopedic injuries boost the risk of arthritis.
A group of muscles and tendons that stabilize your shoulder make up the rotator cuff and make it possible to smoothly lift and rotate your arm. When one of these tendons tears, the mechanics of your shoulder change.
Without proper support, the ball of the shoulder joint can shift out of its normal position. Over time, this leads to abnormal wear on the joint surfaces.
Small tears can also enlarge. What might start as a partial tear can progress to a full-thickness tear, making it harder to repair.
When a rotator cuff tear becomes chronic, it can lead to a condition called rotator cuff arthropathy. This is a form of shoulder arthritis caused by long-standing tendon damage.
As the joint loses stability, cartilage begins to wear down. This can result in:
At this stage, treatment options often become more limited. Instead of a straightforward tendon repair, patients may require more complex procedures, such as shoulder replacement.
Not every rotator cuff tear needs immediate surgery, but certain symptoms suggest it’s time for a closer evaluation.
Pay attention if you notice:
These signs can suggest that the tear is progressing or that the joint is starting to be affected.
Rotator cuff repair is often recommended when a tear is unlikely to heal on its own or continues to interfere with daily life.
Addressing the tear earlier can:
Dr. Pifer specializes in minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques that allow for precise repair with minimal disruption to surrounding tissue.
It’s easy to put off surgery when pain feels manageable. But with rotator cuff tears, waiting can allow the problem to progress. If you’re dealing with rotator cuff issues, an evaluation can help determine the best path forward.
If shoulder pain is limiting your movement or not improving, contact the office of Matthew Pifer, MD, to request a consultation today.
